Inspiring Catholics to discover more joy and fulfillment through the beauty of the traditional faith

Think You Are Alone? Think Again!

Right now, there is someone looking over your shoulder as you read this.

Turn around and you cannot see them. Flip on the lights and they appear to not be there. But they are, and always have been.

Educated and Illuminated

To the modern mind, the subject of angels can seem like an irrational, uneducated, new-age topic. Yet for all the stigma that has been placed upon such beings, the historical concept of angels is anything but childish, whimsical, or related to the new-age movement in any way (despite the claims made).

The grail knight Sir Galahad is guided by angels

Rewind through history and you will discover that angels were powerful forces with deeply theological natures that even the most educated of minds would ponder over in fascination. They were everywhere, and their unseen presence spilled over into visual reality in practically every European town, artistically blanketing the cultural landscape as a witness to common belief.

Take a stroll through any major European city and you will discover an angel somewhere, calling you to remember their presence. They decorate churches, shout from political monuments, and crown civic embellishments. It would be hard to imagine that they found such positions of religious and civic prominence through educated, wealthy, even secular patrons, if all they could offer was a disrespected, “airy-fairy” daydream on a lazy, misty morning.

Even a walk through New York City, the great unofficial capital of an increasingly atheistic world, will encounter an angel or two. (Try Columbus Circle on the south-west side of Central Park for one good example. Notice what the angel is doing; protecting the world. Hardly the activities of a “wishy-washy” being.)

Given the vast flourishing of angelic representations, and the historical documentation of cultural belief, it could be hard to deny that for centuries upon centuries, many people just knew that angels existed. There were angels for countries, cities, towns, rulers, endeavours, and even one for them.

The knight Galahad is warned by angels to turn back

Never Alone

Since the earliest Christian times it was believed that each individual human being had a guardian angel watching over them. This protector was chosen for them from the moment their existence was first conceived in the mind of God, and was the closest match to their personality, temperament, interests, likes and dislikes than any other angel. Their guardian was the angelic spirit that most “got” them, to use modern slang, and could relate to them better than any other member of the angelic realm.

Being their guardian also made them their guide, and this perfectly matched being was responsible for tending to their beloved charges at every moment. Their eyes were all always upon them – laughing when they laughed, crying when they cried, turning away when they were offensive, and praying for them when requested. They encouraged them to the right course of action, and lamented when their still, silent promptings were ignored or even unable to be heard anymore by a cold, hardened heart. Yet they remained to the end, ever the faithful friend.

Angels Everywhere

Such beliefs were not disrespected nor were they just for the “common” citizen. The most theologically advanced and structurally profound understanding of angels was developed within the Catholic faith by some of the greatest thinkers, particularly in regards to the spiritual life. People from every social status, all the way up to kings and queens, believed in them without hesitation.

The concept of angelic assistance even found its way into Catholic art and literature, where angels were often portrayed as guarding, protecting, or warning. The Holy Grail was watched over by angels, for example. Legendary saints encountered them and were comforted by them as portrayed in frescoes and statues. Even Christ Himself had an angel minister to Him in the Garden of Gethsemane before His trial and death.

Angels guard the Holy Grail

Finally, Guardian Angels were noble warriors who were quick to descend from heaven wielding the sword of their faith against the enemy. They were direct participants in the unseen spiritual warfare of the earthy journey.

Angels were therefore everywhere, both spiritually and visually (with one for every human being alive, and then some, it would be hard for them not to be). From political monuments to educated scholars, wealthy benefactors to common peasants, literature to dazzling frescoes and church facades, angels were celebrated, studied, invoked, and represented.

The entire landscape of the old world was blanketed in angels and such a phenomenon was highly respected for the intelligent, powerful beings that they represented. The old world unabashedly reminded and encouraged people to call upon angels who were always amongst them.

A True Friend

For those of us embarking upon a spiritual journey of any kind, drawing close to our angelic guardians should not be something that is considered as superstitious, flaky, irrational, unnecessary, uneducated or even remotely related to the new age movement. Instead, we should not hesitate to consider that it would be uneducated and irrational to do otherwise than ask for the assistance of a being given to us by God himself for our own protection and assistance along the journey of life.

Angels are literally everywhere. The old world was simply more talented and prolific when it came to reminding and inspiring people to remember that they are never alone.

About the Author

Welcome! I am an old-fashioned Catholic who loves the traditional faith. Within it I find a living wonderland of great adventures, heroic challenges, and legendary heroes. It is my personal quest to find more meaning in life through this extraordinary faith, and it is my hope to inspire others to live a dynamically rewarding, faith-filled life as well! Feel free to check back often, follow me on twitter, or subscribe for free to my blog below.

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This blog is dedicated to the intentions of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. It is also under the patronage of both the Sacred Heart, Saint Anthony of Padua, and Saint Catherine of Siena.
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